Tool for cleaning pipes and fittings



May 8,, 31951 J. E. COTTON 2,551,875

TOOL FOR CLEANING PIPES AND FITTINGS Filed NOV. 12, 1948 INVENTOR. 25 Z/ M6556 E. Cozzo/v m mm'a,

ATTD RN EYS Patented May 8, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a tool, and more particularly to a tool for cleaning copper fittings and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide a tool which can be used for performing various cleaning and scraping operations on copper fittings and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for cleaning fittings which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of the tool according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the tool with parts broken away and in section, illustrating the use of the tool in cleaning fittings;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the tool;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the tool.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the tool is fabricated of suitable metal and comprises a first lever l0. Arranged in side-by-side relation with respect to the first lever IE] is a second lever II. The lever I is provided with a semi-circular cut-out I2 adjacent an end thereof, and a plurality of serrations I3 are arranged along the cut-out. The second lever II is also provided with a semi-circular cut-out I4 which has serrations I5 therearound. Projecting from the lever ID, or formed integrally therewith, is a pair of spaced, parallel side walls I6 and II, there being a registering aperture I8 arranged in each of the side walls for receivin and holding a pipe I9 to be cleaned, Figure 2. A spring 2|] is operatively connected to the levers I0 and II intermediate the ends of the latter for urging the serrations I3 and I5 into engagement with the pipe I9.

The exterior of the lever in is provided with a plurality of file teeth 2| for scraping the exterior surface of a pipe 22, Figure 2.

Projecting from the exterior surface of the lever I0 adjacent the other end thereof is a blade 23, there being a similar blade 24 projecting from the exterior surface of the lever I I adjacent the other end thereof. Projecting from the side wall I! and secured thereto is a tapered tip 25 having cutting edges thereon for a purpose to be later described.

In use, before sweating fittings together, the tool provides a ready device for scraping the fittings prior to the sweating operation. Thus, in Figure 2, a pipe I9 is inserted through the registering apertures I8 in the side walls and the spring 20 urges the lever II toward the lever I0 so that the serrations l5 and I3 will engage the exterior surface of the pipe l9 to clean the latter upon rotation of the pipe. The file teeth H can also be used for cleaning a pipe 22, Figure 2, by gripping and moving th tool therealong.

For cleaning the inside of a fitting, such as an elbow 26, Figure 2, the ends of the levers which carry the blades 23 and 24 are moved toward each other and inserted in the fitting. Then, upon rotation of the tool, the blades 23 and 24 will scrape and clean the inner surface of the fitting. The tapered tip 25 is especially useful in cleaning out vent openings 21 which may be arranged in T-fittings 28, or the like, Figure 4.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

In a tool for cleaning fittings, a first lever provided with a cut-out on one side adjacent one end thereof, a plurality of serrations arranged in said cut-out, a second lever arranged in face-to-face relation with respect to said first lever, there being a cut-out arranged in said second lever and coacting with the cut-out in said first lever for receiving a pipe therebetween, a plurality of serrations arranged in said second cut-out to scrape the exterior of said pipe upon rotation of the pipe, resilient means for urging said, serrations into engagement with said pipe, and a pair of spaced, parallel side walls projectin from said first lever toward said second lever, there being an aperture arranged in each of said side walls, the apertures in said side Walls being arranged in opposed relation with respect to each other for the projection therethrough of the pipe to be cleaned, said apertures being arranged in registry with the cutouts in said levers.

JESSE E. COTTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 158,054 Fawcett Dec. 22, 1874 1,560,441 Trosper Nov. 3, 1925 1,741,531 Miller Dec. 31, 1929 1,913,606 McKenna June 13, 1933 2,196,242 Roberts Apr. 9, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 279,248 Great Britain Oct. 27, 1927 

